Enough is enough! Beijing Copy Cats!

[Htay7500]

Originally Posted by t-rex

Asian carmakers have rarely been trendsetters in automotive design and have been pioneers in very few technical areas, other than gadgets and doo-dads.

Nearly every pioneering design over the past century has come from Europe. I can name a dozen famous European car stylists: Aldo Sessano, Giorgio Giugiaro, Battista Pinin Farina, Marcello Gandini, Nuccio Bertone... yet I can't name a single Japanese or Korean car stylist.

Europeans lead on the technical front too. They've either invented, or introduced into mass production the disc brake, monocoque construction, all-steel car bodies, independent front AND rear suspension, hypoid axles, transaxles, the CV joint, OHC engines, the Diesel engine, the Rotary engine, rack-and-pinion steering...

The Japanese gave us... synthesised voice boxes and remote-control fuel flap openers.

The Koreans have given the world little more than budget prices and strange styling.

was audi the 1st to make the aluminum frame?

[KillerMRK]

Originally Posted by Htay7500

was audi the 1st to make the aluminum frame?

I dunno, why don't you tell us?

[t-rex]

Originally Posted by Htay7500

was audi the 1st to make the aluminum frame?

No the Honda NSX was.

Score: Japan=1, Europe=538.

Next attempt?

If you can't discern the difference between the Japanese have contributed little to automotive design and the Japanese have contributed nothing to automotive design, ....

It was obvious that I in no way excluded the Japanese entirely.

[mbukukanyau]

Originally Posted by genjy

The Mercedes ML came out in 1998.

The Toyota Harrier came out in December 1997.

Do you just think and say whatever?

The Mercedes-Benz M-Class is a mid-size SUV with light off-road capability, first offered in 1997 as a 1998 model, and built by the German automaker Mercedes-Benz. It marked a shift at Mercedes-Benz in becoming a global player; while it had plants outside Germany before, they merely built German models. Gradually, the M-Class became a sales success in the United States. In size, it is slotted below the GL-Class
Wiki

(1998-2003)

In February 1997, Lexus debuted the Lexus Sport Luxury Vehicle Concept (SLV), a prototype crossover SUV, at the Chicago Auto Show.[2] This concept, which appeared close to production, combined the characteristics of an SUV, wagon, and sedan.[3] In Japan, the SLV concept appeared in first-generation Harrier form (codename SXU10 and MCU10 for the front wheel drive models, and SXU15 and MCU15 for the four wheel drive models) in December 1997. Two engines were available, the 2.2 L 5S-FE I4 which produced 139 hp (104 kW) JIS (102 kW) and 191 Nm (140 ft·lbf), and the 3.0 L 1MZ-FE V6 which produced 219 hp (163 kW) JIS (161 kW) and 304 Nm (224 ft·lbf). Both engines could be specified with either front or all wheel drive. All models came with an automatic transmission as standard. The vehicle was partly based on the Camry platform.
Wiki

Misleading, Until you see this

1995 Mercedes VRC concept--
I rest my case

[Htay7500]

Originally Posted by KillerMRK

I dunno, why don't you tell us?

I never asked you.

[mbukukanyau]

Originally Posted by Htay7500

not quite.

apple copied the LG's prada
http://www.mobilemag.com/content/100/340/C11730/

alpine made the 1st navigation system in '81, along with other inventions
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alpine_...d_technologies


pioneer made the 1st CD player
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pioneer_Corporation

I stand corrected

[Htay7500]

Originally Posted by mbukukanyau

I stand corrected

I don't want to call you a racist or anything, even though I am asian and I'll admit there are times when the japanese/koreans tend to follow what the west does. I'll admit what I might've said wrong, etc. hope we're cool with that

[DuSpinnst]

Originally Posted by Mr. Burns

I mean Lexus currently has the only car on the market that can park itself.

Mercedes has had the Technology for YEARS but will not use it due to liability concerns.

Why do you always have to defend the Asian companies? Outside of Sony, Nintendo, Samsung and a few of the Taiwanese computer manufacturers my impression is that they are copy cats.

What they do is copy and IMPROVE. When was the last time a REVOLUTIONARY idea came out of Asia, other than the Wii I can't think of any.

[crooner214]

Note to all...

Wasn't the point of this thread to show pictures of copy-cat designs? Somebody show some pics and end this squabbling!! Please!!!

[mbukukanyau]

Originally Posted by Htay7500

not quite.

apple copied the LG's prada
http://www.mobilemag.com/content/100/340/C11730/

alpine made the 1st navigation system in '81, along with other inventions
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alpine_...d_technologies


pioneer made the 1st CD player
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pioneer_Corporation

Originally Posted by Htay7500

I don't want to call you a racist or anything, even though I am asian and I'll admit there are times when the japanese/koreans tend to follow what the west does. I'll admit what I might've said wrong, etc. hope we're cool with that

We are cool, you made a good case... thats more important than some name calling..
The God parents of my kids are vietnamese, I love em to death... For some people to call me racist here is just uncalled for..
I would not hessitate to call them out when they go vietnam, on me, like speak vietnamese when we are there and do not understand a word? or tell em eating dog sucks, I'd rather eat a goat....Does that also make me racist?

[t-rex]

"Copycat" simply holds too much to individual interpretation.

I don't see borrowing a design theme, especially one that's fashionable, and used by several automakers as being "copycat".

This isn't a "copycat". Beijing license the design from Chrysler.


This is a copycat (BYD F1). It's an unlicensed copy of the Toyota Aygo.


This is a copycat (Chery QQ). It's an unlicensed copy of the Daewoo Matiz.


This is a copycat (Great Wall Perry). It's an unlicensed copy of the Fiat Panda.


This is a copycat (Haifei Saima). It's an unlicensed copy of the Mitsubishi Dingo.


This is a copycat (Zotye). It's an unlicensed copy of the Daihatsu Terios.


This is a copycat (Shuanghuan Noble). It's an unlicensed copy of the Smart.


This is a copycat (Shuanghuan CEO). It's an unlicensed (near) copy of the BMW X5.


This is a copycat (Tianma Hero). It's an unlicensed copy of the Kia Sorento.


This is a copycat (Xianma ??). It's an unlicensed copy of the Toyota Harrier.


This is a copycat (HuaBei RV). It's an unlicensed copy of the Honda CRV.


In addition, there are at least a dozen Chinese companies making unlicensed copies of various Suzuki microvans, the Toyota Hiace van, various Toyota pickups, and countless pickups and SUV's based on the Isuzu TF design.

All other Chinese designs are either products of license agreements or joint ventures, or they're of entirely Chinese design.

[Mr. Burns]

Originally Posted by DuSpinnst

Mercedes has had the Technology for YEARS but will not use it due to liability concerns.

Why do you always have to defend the Asian companies? Outside of Sony, Nintendo, Samsung and a few of the Taiwanese computer manufacturers my impression is that they are copy cats.

What they do is copy and IMPROVE. When was the last time a REVOLUTIONARY idea came out of Asia, other than the Wii I can't think of any.

Hey I'm only trying to tone things down in this thread. But really my first thought about asians and innovation was this:

+ YouTube Video

Of course I personally think one of the most innovative electronics companies is Apple, but I do give credit where credit is due, and often times on this board that is not the case. And I'm not saying they do not copy, I'm just saying that there are examples of innovation as well.

Also we may refer to them as "asian" companies, but in this global world, it could be americans or europeans doing some of the design/engineering work as well. For example toyota has a key design studio in Newport CA, and stuff like the ABAT (designed by an american born and schooled in america) come out of there. And I believe some of intel's newest chips were designed in Isreal or thereabouts. In the end it boils down to the people doing the actual work.

[King Riffle]

Originally Posted by t-rex

This is a copycat (Chery QQ). It's an unlicensed copy of the Daewoo Matiz.

Wasn't there something about Daewoo having allowed Chery to use that design before GM aquired them? I could be wrong but I swear I read it somewhere.

[t-rex]

Originally Posted by King Riffle

Wasn't there something about Daewoo having allowed Chery to use that design before GM aquired them? I could be wrong but I swear I read it somewhere.

That's what I thought too. Chery also build a derivative of the old Daewoo Magnus that they claim they licensed from Daewoo. But I haven't been able to find anything definitive. Just two conflicting stories. GM claim that Daewoo did not license the designs to Chery.

[FenwickHockey65]

Does this have any legal standing in court? Can GM sue the Chinese companies for blatantly copying their designs?
I don't see how they can get away with this...